Da Nang eyes cinema as key driver of cultural industry growth
DNO - Da Nang has identified cinema as an effective channel for promoting the city's image as a destination as well as contributing strongly to economic growth, especially within its strategy for developing the local cultural industries.
Da Nang - A setting evokes emotion and narrative depth
On February 26 (the 10th day of the Lunar New Year 2026), the Tet-themed film ‘Nha Minh Di Thoi’ (Let’s Go Home), set in Da Nang, officially premiered in theaters. The film is directed by Tran Dinh Hien, a Da Nang native who studied filmmaking in France.
Many locations, especially the city’s renowned landmarks, are featured prominently in the movie, with numerous outdoor scenes filmed directly on Da Nang’s streets.
The film also incorporates selected archival footage woven into the characters’ narratives, enriching the storyline and portraying episodes closely linked to the city’s historical journey from memories of the past to aspirations and visions for the future.
Director Tran Dinh Hien said he wanted to bring Da Nang’s most beautiful frames to audiences everywhere. That aspiration aligns with the expectations of the city’s cultural and tourism sector.
When audiences connect with that rhythm of life, they are inspired to visit and experience it firsthand. Cinema, in this sense, serves as a “golden gateway” to travel inspiration, as images of a destination appear before millions of viewers on screen.
In recent years, Da Nang has increasingly appeared on both domestic and international screens. From Vietnamese feature films to global television projects, the coastal city is steadily emerging as a visual storytelling space. For many directors, Da Nang is more than just a filming location, it is a setting that evokes emotion and narrative depth.
Director Chung Chi Cong, who previously chose Da Nang as the setting for his film ‘Cam On Nguoi Da Thuc Cung Toi’ (Thank You for Staying Awake with Me), noted that the city’s appeal lies in the contrast between its modern urban landscape and its layers of quiet cultural memory. The coexistence of past and present adds cinematic depth and texture to storytelling.
Toward film industry development
According to international production units, Da Nang holds many advantages, including convenient international flight connections, a diverse hotel system, a safe urban environment and competitive production costs. These factors make the city an attractive choice for both domestic and foreign film crews.
Therefore, in its long-term strategy, the city aims to build a film ecosystem closely linked to its cultural industries. A draft plan to implement Da Nang’s cultural industry development project through 2030 sets the goal of turning cultural industries into a key economic sector, contributing more than 13% of the city’s GRDP by 2030.
Within this framework, the film and broadcasting sector is targeted to achieve annual growth of 19 - 19.5%, with the ambition of positioning Da Nang among the country’s three leading film centers.